When I clicked through to find more info about ‘Invisible Man’ in the TFF program, I was perplexed to find no show description, photo, theatrical form/style other than ‘non-verbal’ and no performer/company name. There was simply a single line “Go see the Invisible Man”.
To me, there could be two reasons for this lack of information – either the artist wished to give absolutely nothing away – for the audience to see the work with no pre-conceived ideas… or… it was a rushed attempt at squeezing something into the program last minute without really knowing what they were going to do. I gave the show the benefit of the doubt and chose to believe it must be option A.
Since attending, I can confirm that I was correct. But how best to review the piece whilst respecting the wishes of the artist by not giving anything away? Make of this what you will.
Mon 18 Aug, 2025
18:49
41 mins until performance
I arrive.
Park: absolutely singing.
Wander past animated ping-pong players, gossiping dog-walkers and wide-eyed scooter-kids.
Eager to find stage.
18:51
39 mins until performance
Found stage. It’s…. empty.
Street performances can pop up in a flash though?
Search: sign/poster?
Nothing.
Double check program.
Correct time and location.
Producer in me winces.
Take deep breath and decide to take walk around park and start log.
19:04
26 mins until performance
Walk was pleasant – lots of park-bench people watching world go by.
Choose bench within squinting distance of stage.
Search: any developments?
Still no signs.
Search: someone who looks vaguely performer-ish?
Also no.
19:15
15 mins until performance
Still at bench. Still no signs.
Reflect on usual drawn out crowd-gathering of street performers and fact that none is occurring. Slight sense of dread that it was indeed ‘Option B’.
Irony of their invisibility is not lost on me.
Perhaps intentional?
I hold hope.
19:21
9 mins until performance
Police van driving on walkway, lights flashing.
Policeman leans out of window, also searching for an invisible man?
Move closer to stage to scope out other audience members.
19:24
6 mins until performance
Still absolutely no sign.
Pondering: am I the only audience member?
Audience roll call:
- some guy talking on speaker phone. Two beers in.
- couple with thermos. Happily observing the park-life or searching expectantly like me?
Crow crosses stage.
19:27
3 mins until performance
Exasperation – What in the artsy hell is going on here? Where is performer!? Where is…. the invisible man?
Crow-audience ratio now 5:3.
Crows dance, pecking at empty plastic cup.
New couple arrives – giggly and canoodle-y.
Crow-audience equilibrium, achieved.
19:28
2 mins until performance
Someone is coming!
Older male, over-shoulder bag, cap, sunglasses, headphones in ears.
Almost like… a disguise. Almost like… he’d be invisible if I hadn’t been looking for him.
Survey suspicious male expectantly as he walks into audience area.
Too expectantly!
Suspicious male stops, looks back, and removes headphones, permitting me to say something.
I don’t. Quickly avert gaze.
Suspicious male continues walking…. past stage to bench on walkway.
Damn.
Is suspicious male audience member?
Or performer, waiting to reveal self at 19:30?
19:29
1 min until performance
Friend spotted! It’s Dan.
Urgently share records of log and suspicions.
Dan grins broadly.
Glance at watch. It’s 19:30.
— — —
20:25
55 mins in
Giggly canoodle-ey couple give standing ovation and shout “Bravo!”, laughing, in tears.
They walk away hand in hand.
Invisible man invites you out of your home, to be enlightened by social spaces and to live with the intention to be entertained. It reminds us that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that art, like life, is as fulfilling as you want it to be.
Author: Shannon Quinn
Actor / playwright / illustrator Aussie born, Eesti living. Insta: @shannons.cannon Website: www.shannonmakestheatre.com
Subscribe to our email newsletter to get the latest posts delivered right to your email.